Ardbeg Malt Whisky Distillery History.
One of the original Kildalton distilleries, situated on the southern shore of the island.

Built in 1815, on the site of an illicit distillery of which there were many in the area.

Ardbeg, unlike its neighbours Laphroaig and Lagavulin, has not enjoyed the same uninterrupted period of production since its opening.

In fact between 1981 and 1989 famously closed. Whilst the then owners Allied distillers decided what to do with the distillery.

Re-opened in 1990 but only operated up to 6 weeks of the year from 1991 until 1996. When the distillery closed again…for good.

In 1997 the Glenmorangie company bought the distillery and all its stock, re-starting distillation in earnest in 1998. Bringing much needed stability and expertise in maturation particularly. In effect they had resurrected a slumbering beast.